Page 120 of The Underboss's Secret Twins
"Start talking," I say, my tone cutting through the room like steel. "Why did you betray the family? What did the Lombardis promise you?"
Mancini exhales, then gives me a smirk, blood pooling in the corner of his mouth. "What does it matter? You already have me tied up like a fucking animal."
I lean forward, my fingers brushing against the pistol at my hip. "It matters," I say, drawing out each word. "Because I need to know how deep this goes. Who else was in on it? How long have you been working against me?"
Mancini doesn’t answer. He just watches me, measuring, waiting.
Rico clicks his tongue, then moves behind him, gripping a fistful of his hair and yanking his head back. Mancini grits his teeth as he presses the cold barrel of his gun against his temple.
"You don’t want to answer?" Rico mutters. "That’s fine. I’ve got all night."
For a moment, I think Mancini is going to hold out, let his pride get him killed. But then I see it—the slightest flicker ofdoubt in his eyes. The realization that he isn’t leaving this cabin alive.
I try again. "You wanted my seat, Antonio. You thought you could turn the family against me. So, tell me—how exactly did you plan to do that?"
His nostrils flare. His gaze darts between me and Rico, then back to me.
And finally, he sighs, long and slow.
"You always thought you were untouchable," he mutters, his voice raw with resentment. "But the men—they’re not as loyal as you think. They’ve been waiting, Marco. Waiting for a leader who isn’t just Luca’s puppet."
Something dark slithers through my chest, but I don’t let it show.
"Go on," I say.
Mancini shifts again, then lets out a dry, humorless laugh. "The Lombardis saw what I saw. A kingdom built on fear, not loyalty. A leader who only holds power because of his last name." His lip curls. "You think these menwantto follow you? They do it because theyhaveto. But me? I gave them an option. A future where they wouldn’t have to walk on eggshells around you. Where they wouldn’t have to live under Luca’s fucking shadow."
My fingers tighten around the arms of my chair, but I don’t interrupt.
"I spentyearsfeeding them information," he continues, his voice rising. "Every move you made, every deal you struck, every weak point in your security. The Lombardis were going to back me, Marco. They were going to help me take the family. And when you were finally out of the way, I was going to build something stronger. Better."
His words sink into me like a slow poison.
It wasn’t just ambition. It wasn’t just greed. Mancini genuinely thought he could erase the Salvatores. That he could sit in my chair, wear my crown, leadmymen.
And worse—he thought he was entitled to it.
I nod, taking in everything he’s just said. "So, you planned to let the Lombardis waltz in and take their cut? You really think they would have let you sit on the throne? That they wouldn’t have gutted you the second you outlived your use?"
Mancini snorts. "I had insurance."
I arch a brow. "What insurance?"
For the first time, hesitation flickers in his expression. But it’s too late. I already see the answer forming in his mind.
I tilt my head, my tone dropping to something lethal. "What insurance?"
Mancini licks his split lip, then mutters, "Sofia."
The air in the room turns razor-sharp.
Rico swears under his breath. I go utterly still.
"Sofia," I repeat, my voice eerily quiet.
Mancini lets out a short, bitter laugh. "She was leverage. They knew you were too obsessed with her to think straight. If it ever came down to it, she would have been the bargaining chip." His gaze flicks to me, his smirk returning despite the bruises staining his face. "Guess I should’ve acted sooner, huh?"
I stand so fast the chair tips over.
